Antiviral Essential Oil Remedies

What is a useful antiviral essential oil?

Common viral conditions that afflict most people during their lifetime include influenza, the common cold, fever, and chicken pox. In addition, various herpes strains (including Herpes simplex and the strain which causes shingles) have afflicted over 60 million people.

Prescription drugs can often have unwanted side effects. However, essential oils can be used effectively to both stave off an infection and treat one that has emerged. Most essential oils have at least some antiviral properties, although certain oils carry more of a reputation for their ability to combat viruses effectively. These include anise, bergamot, cinnamon bark, clary sage, clove, dill, eucalyptus, geranium, juniper, laurel, lavender, lemongrass, Melissa (lemon balm), neroli, palmarosa, rose, rosemary, tea tree, and thyme.

Antiviral essential oils serve as a sound preventative measure when working to avoid a viral infection, as during flu season. Certain essential oils combat specific viruses better than others. For instance, bergamot has been documented in fighting several viruses, including those that cause chicken pox, flu, herpes and shingles.

When using essential oils as a preventative treatment, use a mixture of oils that work as immunostimulants, that is, oils that enhance the fighting capacity of the immune system against viruses. These oils include all those listed previously. A blend of oils, such as a combination of bergamot, lavender and juniper will work to avoid most common viral infections. Another popular blend includes a combination of tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender. Experiment with the antiviral essential oils listed above and combinations that seem pleasant to you.

Various "antiviral elixirs" and "immune boosters" have now come onto the American market as well, and essential oil immunotherapy has been in practice in Europe for some time. If you would rather have a pre-formulated blend, you can try any number of the mixtures available.

When you use antiviral essential oils to protect against viral infections, be sure to apply topically first. The oils can then be rapidly absorbed by the bloodstream. The essential oil blend can also be misted, vaporized, or otherwise dispensed in an area where infection has been present, say, at the office after several of your colleagues have succumbed to the flu.

Many experts consider hyssop to be a universally successful antiviral. The Romans used hyssop to ward off the plague, and purify or disinfect their gathering places and dwellings. Melissa (lemon balm) has also recently received wide acclaim as a potent antiviral essential oil. Tea tree oil has recently emerged as a highly effective treatment for the herpes virus.

Generally speaking, any essential oil may speed recovery from a viral infection, as aromatherapy works quickly on the psychological level to uplift mood. A positive outlook significantly improves the healing process and will cut down on recuperative time.

Always remember, that self-treatment should not replace, but rather work in tandem, with your professional health care (we generally advocate natural health practitioners), especially in times of serious medical illness.

As a holistic treatment, aromatherapy should be used in conjunction with other natural immune boosting techniques and lifestyle choices, such as a proper diet replete with antioxidants, sound sleep habits, good hydration, and exercise.

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